Bench key for split stem watches



Aug. 22, 1950 D. COZART BENCH KEY FOR SPLIT STEM WATCHES Filed 001:. 10, 1947 FIG. 1.

FIG.

FIG 4 FIG. 6.

. IN V EN TOR. I LEONARD D. COZARZ ATTORNEYS.

Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BENCH KEY FOR SPLIT STEM WATCHES Leonard D. Cozart, Fort Worth, Tex. Application October 10, 1947, Serial No. 779,057

2 Claims.

This invention relates to watch keys and more particularly to a watch key for split stem watches.

It is an object of this invention to provide a key or tool of the kind to be more particularly described hereinafter to be used by a watchmaker at his bench for checking the hands of a watch to determine the clearance therebetween.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tool of this kind which may be used for checking the mainspring and train wheels together with the winding and setting parts of the watch-es.

A further object of this invention is to provide a tool of this kind which is held against sliding from engagement with the split stem of the watch whereby the attention of the Watchmaker may be devoted exclusively to the setting of the watch or use of the tool.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention consists in the arrangement, combination and details of construction disclosed in the drawings and specification, and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an improved watchmakers tool constructed according to an embodiment of this invention,

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section partly broken away,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a side elevation of the bifurcated tool member removed from the assembly,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the headed tool member removed from the assembly, and

Figure 7 is a perspective view partly broken away and partly in section, of a snap-in crown containing a headed stem engaging tool.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l9 designates generally an improved watchmakers tool for engagement with the stem of the watches which are constructed as waterproof watches having a slotted stem for winding and setting.

The present day watches which are waterproof and dustproof, are completely sealed within the casing and the winding or setting stems are re movable from a frictional or other engagement.

The tool I!) is provided as an improved tool for actuating the gear train of watches together with the operation of the setting stem and winding stem of such sealed watches.

In Figure 7 there is shown a stem l I having a squared lower end l2 which is of a construction generally used in such watches. The stem ll provides a removable stem for the watch and the squared end I2 is adapted to be engaged with the stem of the watch interiorly of the case While the bifurcated resilient end M is adapted to receive a tool for winding the stem.

Tools similar to the one shown in Figure 7 and indicated by the numeral l5 are currently used for actuating the stem of these watches. The winding tool I5 is formed with a headed lower end l6 for engagement between the bifurcated arms [4 and a crown or head I! is threadably engaged with the upper end of the tool |5-to permit the winding of the stem.

With the use of the tool IS, the head It is free to slide transversely between the notches IS in the arms l9 and the watchmaker must exert due care for holding the tool in engagement with this adapter I l.

With the use of the tool l0 constructed according to an embodiment of this invention. the tool I0 is held against sliding movement from the notches of the stem.

The tool H1 is formed of an elongated cylindrical central body member 20 having the outer surface thereof knurled as at 2! to provide a suitable finger grip therefor. The ends of the body 20 are reduced in diameter and extend longitudinally and. axially from the ends of the central portion 20.

The ends as 22 and 24 are provided for containing tools of opposite nature for engagement with the stem of watches of the kind described. One end of the tool ID as 22 is formed with an outwardly opening cylindrical bore 25 within which a bifurcated tool member 26 is contained.

The bifurcated tool member 25 is formed of an elongated central body 21 bifurcated at one end to provide a pair of outwardly extending parallel arms 28. The outer end of the arms 28 are formed with facing transverse recesses 29 adjacent the outer end thereof.

A reduced diameter threaded bolt 30 is fixed to or carried by the other end of the body 26 for engagement in a threaded opening as 3! in the extension 22 of the body 21!. The body 26 is formed of a suitable resilient metal whereby the arms 28 are normally disposed in a parallel relation but may be spread apart by engagement of the head as It therebetween.

The other end of the body 2! as 24 is provided with a cylindrical bore 32 therein opening through one end thereof. A tool member 34 is carried within the cylindrical walls of the end 24 and is formed as an opposite tool correlated with the tool 26 described above.

The tool member 34 is formed of an elongated body 35 having a head 36 formed on one end thereof. The head 36 may be of a diameter less than the body 35 and connected thereto by a re- :stricted diameter connecting bar or member 31.

A threaded stud 38 is fixed to or carried by the tool member 34 for engagement with the body '20 for disposing the tool 34 inwardly of the resliding. When a headed member as I5 is carried by the watch on the stem thereof, the bifurcated tool as 28 will be used for winding or setting the watch. The head 16 then Will engage within the recesses 23 and the tool 26 together with the stem portion l5 will be contained within the bore .25 for holding the tool against sliding from the stem.

I do not mean to confine myself to the exact details of construction herein disclosed but claim all variations falling within the purview of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A watchmakers bench key comprising an elongated handle member formed with an outwardly opening bore in an end thereof and a threaded opening at the inner end of said bore, a watch stem engaging tool member disposed within said bore, spaced from the inner side walls thereof and a threaded bolt on one end of said tool member engaging in said threaded opening.

2. A watchmakers bench key comprising an elongated handle member formed with an outwardly opening bore at an end thereof and a threaded opening at the inner end of said bore, a resilient, expansible stem-engaging tool member disposed within said bore, spaced from the inner walls thereof, and a threaded bolt on one end of said tool member engageable in said threaded opening.

LEONARD D. COZART.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Loveren et a1. Feb. 10, 1880 Reed Aug. 31, 1880 Hanks Apr. 5, 1932 Number 

